Summit on Change

Identifying the Drivers of Change in Vancouver

In the second event of the Commission’s public engagement series on A City Built for Change, the Commission brought together a diverse group of Vancouver’s thinkers, innovators, dreamers and activists to gather opinions on what is ‘driving change’ in Vancouver and on the sustainable path to accommodating this change.

The Summit on Change took place on March 20, 2008, facilitated by Brian Scott of EDAW. Presentations by Steven Sheppard, Professor of UBC Forest Resources Management, and Michael Geller, President and CEO of SFU Community Trust, were followed by roundtable discussions examining Vancouver’s strengths and weaknesses, untapped opportunities, and immediate threats. Participants include leaders from the arts, culture, philanthropy, high tech, business, social services, neighbourhood groups, media and academia.

Common themes on what is driving change in the city included the advantage provided by the beautiful natural environment, the sense of inclusivity and possibility fostered by the city’s multiculturalism, the support for healthy lifestyles, and the potential of Vancouver as a gateway to Asia, a crossroads for cultures, and an economic engine for the province and the country.

Many of the ideas and reflections from the event were incorporated into the Change Charter. See below for the video recording of the presentations and table reports.